Stack-former



D. M. GRAHAM.

STACK FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17, 1911. RENEWED SEPT. 10, 1920.

1,381,869, PatentedJune 14, 1921.

4; $HEETS-S HEET gvwewboz attomma D. M. GRAHAM.

Patented June 14, 1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

gnveu fox Patented June 14, 1921.

4 SH'EETSSHEET 3- DAVID M. GRAHAM, OF BOR'D'ULAG, NORTH DAKOTA.

s'raoK-ronrvinn.

menses.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J nine 14, 1921.

Application filed May 1'7, 191, Serial No. 169,254. Renewed September 1%), 1920. Serial No. 409,498.

1' o all to item it may concern 7 lie it known that 1, DAVID M. GRAHAM, a citizen or the United States, residing at ljordulac, in the county of foster and State of blorth Dakota, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Stack-l ormers, oi which the following is a specification, retcrcnce hein had therein to the accompanying drawing.

'i 'hc invention relates to an apparatus for the stacking and maturing of cereal grains or the like, and consists in a stack forming and depositing apparatus having the parts and combinationsthereof herein set forth and ciainieih the same comprising a wheel supported means for forming and depositing a stark oil? the unbound straws and attached grain berries, adapted to travel with a cutting apparatus having grain carrying and distril'iuting means by which the grain, as it is cut is delivered into the stack former.

Among thcobjccts and advantages of the invention are the saving oi time and labor in cutting and handling the grain preparatory to threshii 5 the better drying and curing of the grain i :1 oosc form as distinguished from hound form; the saving of the expense incident to the binding system including cost of machinery and breakage or failure in operation or"- the same, with consequent loss of valual'ile time in the limited harvesting season; repairs of binding machinery; the cost o'lf binding twine: the loss of grain rattled out from the grain heads by such machinery and in handling; the bundles alter binding; the :lurthcr saving: oi labor and time in gathering; up widely scattered bundles or small shocks and also or": time with respect to the occupation oi? the land by widely distributed harvested grain which delays the. preparation of the land for the next crop; and, in

' general, tho substitution for all oil? these operations oi? machinery which is relatively simple and iinexpensive. requiring few and simnle repairs and which is nevertheless cll'ii'itiit in opcratiom in place of the more complicated and expensive machinery hereto'l'ore in noneral use. In addition to these considerations is the material improvement in the grain berries, in weight, grade and value" which is of the greatest importance.

With such objects in view, as well as other f lvfllilifl which may be incident to the use ol' the improvements. the invention consists in the parts and combinations thereof hereinaitcr set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements constituting the same may be varied in proportions and arrangement without depart ng from the nature and scope of the invention.

in order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into iractical efl'ect, without limiting; the improvements, in their useful appli cat ons, to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration. In the said drawings Figure l is a side elevation looking at the oil side, or a stack forming}; and depositing apparatus embodying the invention.

2 is a plan view of the same.

rig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same some or the upper parts of the stack former being omitted; and showing the apparatus in position for depositing a formed stack.

Fig. 4-. is a rear view of the lower part or the apparatus, partly in section on a larger scale.

r 5 IS a perspective view looking; at the forward oil corner and illustrating a collaps ble ventilating space former.

6 is a plan view of the stack former body on a reduced scale illustrating the rearward flaring of the side walls.

Certain features of the invention may be usefully employed for the handling: of in and the like irrespective oi my me hod of stacking and maturingv grain. in pcrioriuinn such. method or process the fort ntion of an air ventilatingspace in the stsiclr essential, as the airing of the interior 0 and the removal of 'moisture th while the grain berries continue to mature and improve therein, enables me to form the stack 0'? the freshly cut grain as and while it is coming from the hzn'vestino; apparatus without preliminary drying and removal oi moisture; and the present invention also provides a stack-ventilating space former for use in carrying; out such process.

Referring to the drawings 1 is a base frame mounted by an axle 2 onmain ground wheels 3 arranged at the sides oi? the apparatus near the middle thereoi The base frame may be further supported by one or more ground wheels, one of such wheels be ing shown at a arranged as a caster wheel under the front portion of the machine.

' of the formed stack the frame 1 "frame 6, 8 so as to swing in vertical planes for the release and deposit of the formed stack. Before the formation of a stack the front ends of the hinged walls are adjusted'and held in an inwardly i ined postion so that they are nearer together than are the rear ends, and the of the stack former flares rearwardly as shown in Fig. 6. leased and moved outward and the stack is deposited the side walls become farther and farther away from the sides of the stack as it is moved rearwarr ly in'the mer and as the machine moves forward from the stack, so asto deposit the stack in as perfect torm'as possible and without undue triction; These matters need not be lu illustrated or further described. herein being set forthin my application rial. liledhlay is, 1917.

14 is a steel: former bottom tiltably mounted so as to swing in vertic 1, planes independent of the frame 1 for eposit open at therear end for the purpose. This bottom is conveniently mounted on the 2 by bearings .13. bottom also coinprises means for supporting the stacln consisting preferably 0:5 two endless belts or aprons 15 arranged longitudinally and havin slats 16-. ilaid aprons are mount front and rear sproclrets 17, of which d? the i strated construc intcrmem e supporting sgr The end sprockets d through shafts able hearings on the bottom. trame, inner trams members 21 or bars 20 mounted I bein provided for the inner ends of s his. The invention, also includes me for positively forcing tee stack out oiithe stack former and this function is performed by the aprons 15 when they suitably act ated. e

22 is a stacleveutilating mounted within the steel: t ,i'mei, and con veniently on the "frame menbe 1 2i. it is or may be collapsible and for such purpose is composed of sides 23'secured at heir lower parts to the 21 by hinges 2s 5), and of a flexible top 2 of canvas or the like which connects the top parts of said sides. The said parts are held in their ex:- panded position as shown. in said figure by arms 25 on a longitudinal shaft 26 arranged /Vhen said forward ends are 776-.

space-former Fig. 4, leaving the ventilating space properly formedyand the space former will offer no resistance to the discharge of the staclz. it will be understood that this space former may be ofany suitable width and height, as may be dictated by experience with different sizes of stack and the different kinds of grain.

For the positive forcing and discharge of the completed s ack the forward conveyor shaft 19 is turned rear ard by suitable mechanism. in the construction illustrated said mechanism consists of a gear pinion 29 on said shaft, an intermeshing pinion 30 on an intermediate shalt 31., a clutch member on the latter pinion, a second clutch member attached to a sprocket 34 and mounted on said shaft 31. a chain 85, a sprocket 36 fired on around wheel or on the axle 2, a lever 3? .ror shifting the clutch member a spring 38 which normally holds the clutch members disengaged and a cam 39 fir on the frame 1 and adapted to engage r -0 on an arm of the lever 37. It resi from this construction of mechanism t at the conveyors are actuated rear- :ly tor the discharge of the completed by the operation of a ground wheel in e course of the forward travel of the manine, and said mechanism is thrown into i by the downward tilting of the i .nd of the staclr bottom which causes the roller 40 to contact with the cam 39 and h the ch l-wieans are 'i sit having an a n 43 which is connected by a L r wi n an l5 on the forward end 0 he bottom 14-. The forward swinging of t ev ll. will cause the tilting of the bottom from the position. shown in Fig. 1

o tleposition shown in Fig. 3. 4:6 is a dog or latch on the lever 41 adapted to engage a stop at st? to hold the bottom horizon al or a stop 48 (Fig. 3) to hold the bottom in discharging position.

't will be understood that the'shaft 26 may be of any desired length so as to properly operate the sldes 23 of the space former.

It is shown as extending for a little more than half the length of the stack :tormcr and is provided at its rear end with a seconc pair of arms 25 (Fig. 3).

The rear end or. the tilting bottom is or may be provided. with small wheels or rollers or rearwardly extended shoes i9 adapted to rest on the ground during the deposit oi the stack.

The desired results in maturin and ouring the grain may be' obtained making the said ventilating air space in the lower part of the stack of less height than half the height of the stack, and it is preferable to lay the major part of the stack on the top 0t and above the said space former, thereby increasing the capacity of the stack as a whole.

The axis of tilting of the bottom is so arranged that when the stack is completed alittle morethan half the stack will be at the rear oi said axis so that the preponderating gravity of that part of the stack will cause the tilting ot' the bottom when the latter is released; and the front part of the bottom forward or the axis of tilting is made heavier than the part at the rear of said axis so that the bottom will automatically return to stack-receiving or horizontal. position auto matieally soon as the stack has been disch; rged therefrom, The front part of the bot am will ordinari have such preponderating weight by reason of the dischargingmechanism carried thereby, but it may be otherwise weighted for said purpose.

It not necessary that the axis of tilting be forward of the middle of the bottom, because the rear part of the stack will or may be heavier than the front portion when it is made wider by the rearwardly flaring arrangement of the side walls, and such latter arrangement would in that case be the equiv alent is havin the axis of tilting forward of the middle of the stack measured from end to end.

The shu'l't is properly held in its adjusted position preferably by friction, applied in a bearing 27 by means of an adj ustable screwdf) (Fig. 50 ind cates a vertically movable shield or 'iortiou of the stack former side wall 10 (Fig. 1), one. of which shields will be applied at each side of the machines. The said shield is or may be pivotally connected at 5!. with the side wall 10, and is otherwise attached to the tilting bottom 14 so as to move vertically with the forward end of the same. Opposite the shield 50 the side wall i0 is cut out or removed as indicated at 52, in dotted lines in Fig. 1, so that the transverse elements of the forward end of the bottom and ot the gearing may move up and down relative to the vertically stationary side wall; but the side openings so made are closed by the shields 50 so that the straw is properly confined within the stack former chamber.

, lVhat is claimed is I 1. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a tiltable bottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bet I from said space-forming means, and mechanism for actuating such stack-carrying means.

2. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a movable bottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bottom is movable, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part or" the stack, means tor forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the space-forming means and confining and shaping the sides f the said upper part of the stack, means on said bottom for carrying the formed stack therefrom and away from said spaceforming means, mechanism connected with a ground wheel for actuating such stack carrying means, and means whereby said actuating mechanism is caused to be operated when the bottom is moved for the deposit of the stack.

3. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a tiltablebottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bot tom is nearly balanced and is tiltable, means for confining and forming the stack, means on said bottom for carrying the formed staclr therefrom and to the ground, mechanism connected with a ground wheel for actuating such stack-carrying means, and means whereby said actuating mechanism is sed to be operated when the bottom is tilted rearwardly for the deposit of the stack.

4t. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a tiltable bottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bottom is nearly balanced and is tiltable, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, means for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the space-forming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack, means for carrying the formed stack out of the stack former and away from said space-forming means, mechanism whereby said actuating mechanism is caused to be operated when the'bottom is tilted rearwardly for the deposit of the stack;

5. A stack former for harvesting machines havinn in combination, a tiltable bottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bottom is tiltable, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, means for form'ng a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, means for forming the upper and major. part o'fthe stack on the top'of the space-forming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of, the stack, means on said bottom for carrying the formed stack therefrom and away from said space-forming moans, mechanism connected with a ground wheel f'for actuating such stack-carrying means, and means whereby said actuating mechanism is caused to be operated when the bottom is tilted rearwardly for the deposit oi the stack.

6. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a tiltable bottom and ground wheels, support on which said bottom is nez rly balanced and is tilt-able, means for forming the lower part or a stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, means "for forming the upper and major part oi the stack on the top of said space-forming means and confining and shaping; the sides of said upper part oi the staclr, means on said bottom for carrying; the termed stack therefrom and away from said space forming means, mechanism connected with a ground, wheel for actuating such stac carrying means, and means whereby said actuating mechanism is caused to be oper ated when said bottom is tilted rearwardly for the deposit of the stack.

7. A stack former ior harvesting machines having in combination, amovable bottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bottom is movable, front, re r and side walls for confining and forming the lower part ofthe stack, means for forming; a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, means consisting of the upper parts of said w'alls for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top'of the space forming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack, an endless conveyor on said bottom for carrying the termed stack out of the stack former and away from said space-forming means, mechanism connected with a ground wheel "for actuating; such conveyer, and means whereby said actuating mechanism is'caused to be operated when the bottom is moved for the deposit of the stack.

8. A stack former for harvesting machines 1,es1,sce

havin in combination, a movable bottom and d wneei: bott is mov" torn" rip; the lower a supporton which said 1 s for confining and -rt of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in lower part or the stack, means for nd maio cart of the stack on the top oi spa-ce-ioin means and confining and shaping; the sides of the said uoper part of t stash, endless-con- 118- bottom one at each side of sis iiOl carrying the and away from sald actuating such conmeans whereby said actuating; is caused to be operated when th b atom is moved for the deposit or the stack.

9. A ir harvesting); machines having ion, a movable bottom a pro wheels, a support on which said bottom mo able, means for confining and he lower art'oi the staclr, means a permanent ventilating space lower pa t of the stack, means for the upper and major part of the i L-iiQ top of the space-forming means cone" 1d shaping the sides of the said uppe t of the stack, means on said bottom for carrying the formed stack therefrom and away from said space-forming means and irisingg clutch member, mechanism cor ected with a. ground wheel for actuating such staclecarrying means and comprising a second clutch member, and ns, whereby said clutch members are caused to engage and said stack carrying means to be operated when the bottom is moved for the deposit or" the stack.

i0. A stack former for harvesting machines wing in combination, a movable bottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bottom is movable, means for coniinin and forming the lower part of the stash, me s forming a permanent ventilatin space said lower part of the stack,

inn; the upper andymajor means 1' for a part 01 the on the top oi the spaceforming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack, means on said bottom for carrying the formed stack therefrom away from said space-forming means, mechanism connected with a ground wheel for actuating such stack-carrying; means, whereby said actuating mechanism is caused to be operated when bottom is moved for the deposit oi" the stack, and means for holding said bottom positively in its stack-depositposition during the operation of said mechanism.

11. stack former for harvesters, having ground wheels, a tiltable bottom, and means for forcing a formed stack rearward out of the stack former, the axis of tilting being arranged to the rear of the center of gravity of the bottom when empty, so that the bottom returnsto horizontal position by gravity and said axis being arranged forward of the center of gravity of the bottom and formed stack thereon so that the same tilt rearwardly by the preponderating gravity or the rear part of a termed stack when resting said bottom.

12. A stack former for harvesters, having ground wh els, front, rear and side stackforming walls, a nearly balanced and tiltable bottom the front half of which is heavier than the rear half, a pivotal support for said bottom arranged forward of the middle of the stack, and means for ejecting a formed stack from said former, whereby the empty bottom returns to horizontal position by gravity and tilts rearward by the gravity of a formed stack for the deposit thereof.

13. A stack-former for harvesters, having a ground wheel support, a nearly balanced tiltable bottom, and mechanism at the forward end of said bottom for forcing a formed stack therefrom when "the rear end of said bottom is tilted downward, the axis of tilting being arranged forward of the middle of the stack so that the weight of said mechanism returns the empty bottom to stack-receiving position by gravity and the preponderating weight of the rear part of a formed stack overcomes the weight of said mechanism and tilts the bottom to de positing position by gravity.

14-. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, tiltable bottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bottom is nearly balanced and is tiltable, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, means for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the space-forming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack, means on said bottom for carrying the formed stack therefrom and away from said space-forming means, and mechanism for actuating such stack-carrying means, the axis of tilting of said bottom being arranged forward of the middle of the stack so that when empty the bottom may return to stack-receiving position by the preponderat-ing gravity of the forward end of the bottom, and when the formed stack is thereon the bottom will tilt to depositing position by the preponderating gravity of the rear part of the stack.

15. A stack former for harvesting'machines having in combination, ground wheels, a tiltable bottom the forward half of which with attached parts is heavier than 1 a support on which said botto be tilted, means for conniing the lower part of the means IOZ forming permanent ven- U space in said lower part of the means for ming the upper and on the top of the co-fo nin insane and confinin g and shaphe sides of the said upper part of the neans on said bottom for carrying the i stack therefrom and away from said as means. mechanism connected 1 a ground wheel for actuating such stack carrying means, and means whereby said actuating mechanism: is causedto be operated when th bottom is moved for the deposit st clr, the arris of tilting of said bottom being arranged forward of the middle of the stock so that when empty the bottom may r turn to stack-receiving position by the preponderating gravity of the forward end of the bottom, and when the formed stack is thereon the bottom yill tilt to de positing position by the preponderating gravity of the rear part of the stack.

stack former for harvesters having in coml, nation, a ground wheel support, a tiltable and nearly balanced bottom, and means for positively forcing a formed stack out of the former while said bottom is tilted for the deposit of the stack.

17. stack former for harvesters having in combination, a ground wheel support, a movable bottom, means for carrying a formed stack out of the former to be deposited, and mechanism whereby said carry- Y mechanism is actuated from a ground woeel when the bottom has been moved for the deposit of the stack.

18. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a tiltable bottom and ground wheels, a support on which said bottom is nearly balanced and is tiltable, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, inwardly collapsible means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, means for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the spaceforming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack, means on said bottom for carrying the formed stack therefrom and away from said space-forming means, and mechanism for actuating such stack-carrying means.

19. A stack former for harvesters having in combination, a ground wheel support, a tiltable and nearly balanced bottom, a stack ventilating space former within the stack former, and means for positively forcing a formed stack out of the former while said bottom is tilted for the deposit of the stack.

20. A stack former for harvesters having in combination, a ground wheel support, a movable bottom, a stack ventilating spacethe rear half former thereon, means for carrying a formed stack out of the former to be deposited, and mechanism whereby said carrying mechanism is actuated from a ground WllQGi when the bottoin is moved for the de posit oi"- the stack.

21. A stack former 01 harvesting machines, having therein an inwardly collapsible stack-Ventilating space-former.

22. A stack former for harvesting inachines, having therein a stack-ventilating space-former comprising hinged sides and a flexible top, said space former being inwardly collapsible after being inolosed With grain, and means for releasing and expanding said sides.

23. A staclrforrner for harvesting machines, having therein an inwardly collapsible space-former, the bottom of the stack former having at each side of said spaceformer a rearwardly movable stack-support ing section,

attached to said tilting bottom and arrangedopposite to said openings to close the same against the escape of straw.

in testimony whereof, I tnre, in presence of two Witnesses DAVID M. GRAHAM.

Witnesses: V

H. N. LAW, N. CURTIs LAMMOND.

afiix my signa- I 

